Madeleine McCann investigation: Several callers give same name to police

Several callers gave the same name to police probing Madeleine McCann's disappearance, following the release of an e-fit [AP/PA]

Last night, detectives released an image of a man spotted carrying a child towards the beach in Praia da Luz, Portugal.

He was seen shortly before three-year-old Maddie went missing on May 3, 2007.

Two new e-fits of the man were broadcast on BBC's Crimewatch last night, which sparked a "truly unprecedented" response.

The Metropolitan Police have received more than 1,000 calls and emails thanks to the fresh plea for information.

"Significantly, there were lots of calls from British people who were in Praia da Luz around the time of Madeleine's disappearance who had never previously spoken to the Met, so there's lots of information coming through there," said Crimewatch editor Joe Mather, speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"They received several names for the key 10pm sighting, the sighting of a man carrying a child towards the beach.

"Several different names but also several callers mentioned the same name for that man."

Kate McCann urged people to 'rack their brains' during last night's Crimewatch programme [PA]

“Several different names but also several callers mentioned the same name for that man”

Crimewatch editor Joe Mather

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood said he was "extremely pleased" with the results of the Crimewatch appeal.

"The incident room is following up a number of inquiries, having received over 300 calls and over 170 emails with specific lines of inquiry," he said.

"We will now take the time to follow up these lines of inquiry.

"Our appeal continues and later today I will be travelling to Holland, and tomorrow Germany, to continue the appeal for information.

"Madeleine remains at the heart of everything we do and I will continue to update the McCann family as more information is received by the incident room."